A YOUNG girl has returned from the grave to haunt a bakery in Petts Wood, according to the people who work there.

The self-raising spectre has caused all sorts of havoc - throwing trays and bread around, switching lights on, and spelling the first few letters of her name in caster sugar.

Employees have concluded that, because of this paranormal snactivity, the Plaxtol Village Bakery in Queensway, soon to be renamed the Queensway Village Bakery, is haunted.

Since no young girls have lived in the premises for many years they believe the flantom menace may have been killed when a V2 rocket hit Petts Wood during the Second World War.

And her penchant for mischief has left manager Louise Martin dumbfounded.

The 38-year-old said: "The first time one of us encountered the ghost was in the summer.

"I came into the shop and there were trays all over the floor.

"I went into the back and colleague of mine was there.

"He was crouched on the ground shaking so I asked him what was wrong.

"He said the trays had been thrown off their racks - all on their own.

"I couldn't believe it - but it has happened again three or four times since then and I have seen it."

Despite being a nuisance Ms Martin insists the toastie ghostie is harmless.

She said: "She is friendly, she doesn't mean any harm.

"She is quite mischievous, quite naughty, but really we think she just wants to make her presence known - maybe she is trying to send us a message."

The name of the spirit is believed to be Charlotte, after the letters C, H and A were found eerily spelled out in caster sugar one day when nobody had been around.

The bakery's new owner, Remzi Mustafa, 36, may have taken on more than he bargained for.

He told News Shopper: "Just the other day, after the recent snow, I came in early in the morning, around 6.30am.

"As I approached the back door I noticed there were small footprints in the snow.

"The footprints led up to the back door, and then they disappeared - there were no foot prints going off in another direction.

"The door was locked so I couldn't understand what had happened.

"We figured because of the size of the footprints she must be a little girl."

It seems the Charlotte the friendly ghost will be hanging around at the Queensway Village Bakery for some time to come.

The bakery is inviting the public to come and meet Charlotte this Saturday, when Cava and scones will be available all day from 10am.